Tailor&#39;s tape-measure.



No. 661.537. Patented Nov. l3, I900.- H. D. &. W. l. KIRK.

TAILORS TAPE MEASURE.

(Application filed Dac..11,' 1899.)

(No Model.)

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HARRY D. KIRK AND \VALTER I. KIRK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; SAID /VALTER I. KIRK ASSIGNOR TO SAID HARRY D. KIRK.

TAILORS TAPE-Ni EASURE.

SIECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 66l,537,clated November 13, 1900.

Application filed December 11,1899. Serial No. 739,922. (No model.)

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Be it known that we, HARRY D. KIRK and WALTER I. KIRK, citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tape-Meas ures, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to tape-measures, more particularly of the class employed by tailors and clothiers. In using the ordinary tape-measure, especially for taking measurements of clothing upon the person, the operator frequently experiences difficulty, for the reason that the extremity of the tape-measure must be held in position, and in certain locations-as,for example, under the arms there is not sufficient room for the operators hand. Having in View the obviation of this difficulty, the object of our invention is to provide a tape-measure having an inflexible tip or tongue which may be inserted into cations difficult of access to the hand and which may be withdrawn from the extremity of the tape'measure when not required for use. To attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a face view of our device, showing the tongue in position for use. Fig. 2 is a face view of the device, showing the position of the tongue when withdrawn from the extremity of the tape and not in use. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, of the rivet and washers whereby the tongue is pivotally attached to the tape.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A represents a tape-measure of the ordinary type, having at its extremity the prefoperator, and the broad slightly-curved extremity l), opposite to said apex, is well adapted to be quickly and accurately adjusted in places where the sense of touch rather than the sight must be relied upon for accuracy of adjustment. Moreover, by making the lateral edges concave said tongue is freed from any unnecessary material and is therefore light in weightand convenient for manipulation. Near its apex b said tongue is pivotally attached to the tape A by means of the rivet C. (Shown in detail in Fig. Said rivet is of special construction,having one portion 0 of its shank smaller in diameter than the portion 0 of said shank, the latter lyingnearest the head (1 of said rivet. The difference of diameter between said portions 0 and 0' forms a shoulder or offset, against which the inner washer e bears. By this construction the said washer e is prevented from being forced against the tongue 13 and from interfering with therotation of the tongue B upon the portion 0 of the rivet C. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the effect resulting from the increase of diameter of the portion 0 over the portion cof said rivet may be attained by other means-for example, by the use of a spacing-collar. The tape A is penetrated by the portion 0 of said rivet and occupies a position thereon adjacent to the said washer 6, said tape being contiguous to said washer on the face thereof opposite to the head d of the rivet. Upon the face of said tape opposite to the washer e is the washer f, which is held in position by the head g, formed by riveting over the project-ing extremity of the rivet-shank. By forming said head g in such a manner that the inclosed portion of the tape A is compressed said washers reinforce said tape, and any weakening of the latter, due to perforation at the rivet shank, is compensatedfor. Moreover, by this construction excessive Wear, due to the friction of the adjacent parts, is avoided. The said tape and tongue are connected in such a manner that when said tongue is extended and in position for use the central portion of the edge I) of said tongue corresponds with the extremity of the end piece CtOf said tape, as shown in Fig. 1.

The operation of our device is as follows:

When it is desired to take a measurement froma point not easily accessible to the hand, the operator revolves the tongue to a forward position, grasping it near the apex 1) thereof, and inserts said tongue until the forward edge Z) thereof becomes adjusted against the object wherefrom the measurement is to be taken. The tape is then extended to the second objective point and the measurement taken in the usual manner. When the tongue B is not desired, it is revolved to a backward position toward the opposite extremity of the tape and then lies remote from the end piece a at a distance approximately equal to the length of said tongue. When in this latter position, the tongue is out of the way and the tape may be used in the same manner as the ordinary tape is used.

By our construction the tongue may be virtually removed without detaching the same from the tape, thereby avoiding the danger of losing said tongue. Moreover, on account of its configuration and method of attachment said tongue may be easily projected and withdrawn by one hand of the operator.

Although especially useful for measurements from places difficult of access, itis evident that our device affords means for taking measurements quickly and easily under substantially all conditions where an ordinary tape-measure is applicable. It is also evident that the configuration of the tongue and the construction of the pivotal connection between said tongue and the tape may be considerably varied without departing from our invention.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

1. In a tape-measure fortailors use the combination of a flexible tape, a tongue consisting of comparatively inflexible material, said tongue being approximately triangularin out line and having one of its edges adapted to serve as a measuring edge; and a rivet for revolubly attaching said tongue to said tape, the distance between said rivet and said measuring edge of the tongue being equal to the distance between said rivet and the extremity of the tape, said rivet being located at the extremity of said tongue opposite to the measuring edge thereof, by which construction said tongue is adapted to be rotated away from proximity to the extremity of said tape and thereby become virtually removed without being detached from said tape.

2. In a tape-measure, the combination with the flexible tape, of a comparatively inflexible tongue approximately triangular in outline and having one of its edges adapted to serve as a measuring edge from which measurements may be taken; a rivet whereby said tongue is revolubly attached to said tape, said rivet being located at the extremity of said tongue opposite to said measuring edge, the distance between said rivet and said measuring edge being equal to the distance between said rivet and the extremity of said tape, by which construction when said tongue is revolved backward along said tape, said measuring edge lies at a distance from said extremity of the tape approximately equal to twice the length of said tongue; two washers upon the rivet-shank inclosing a portion of said tape, and a shoulder or offset upon the rivet-shank for maintaining a suitable distance between the rivet-head and the washer nearest thereto.

HARRY D. KIRK. WALTER I. KIRK. Witnesses:

JOHN C. PIRIE, M. J. RUETZ. 

